Without wanting to sound repetitive, this is a must win scenario again for the Warriors this week as they take on the sixth-placed Parramatta Eels.
- 40 – This will be the 40th clash between these two sides. As things stand, the Warriors have won on 18 occasions, with the Eels winning 21 times.
- 5 – The Warriors have won five of their last seven games against the Eels.
The Warriors are going to have their work cut out against the similarly rocks-and-diamonds Eels, but a spot in the Top 8 is a real possibility depending on other results. If they win. The Warriors are currently three points adrift of the Eels in ninth.
- 125 – It will be 125 days since the Warriors have been in the Top 8 come game day.
It is a familiar story for both of these teams this season; we could either have the quality of a top-four clash or a wooden spoon standard game on Saturday.
- 387 – The Eels have scored 387 points this season, the fourth-most in the NRL in 2019.
- 22 – The Eels have scored 22 or more points in each of their past six games.
- 376 – Conversely, the Eels have conceded 376 points this season, the fourth-worst in the NRL in 2019.
Whilst the Warriors’ overall away record against the Eels isn’t great, their away form this season has been an often-overlooked revelation.
- 6 – The Warriors have won only 31 percent of their away games against the Eels in the history of this fixture, winning just six of their 19 games.
- 10 – Between 1998 and 2007 the Warriors lost 10 straight away games against the Eels, including two fixtures in Hamilton.
- 5 – The Warriors have won five and drawn one of their last six games away from home this season.
The Eels have thrived in their new home at Bankwest Stadium, putting in some impressive performances in front of some of the biggest and parochial crowds Western Sydney has seen in quite some years.
- 5 – The Eels have won five of their six games at Bankwest Stadium since first playing there in Round 6.
- 31 – They are averaging 31 points per game at their new fortress.
- 7 – Warriors prop Leeson Ah Mau has not tasted victory over the Eels in seven games since 2012.
Where this game could be won remains to be seen. Rival fullbacks and captains Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and Clint Gutherson will be key to their sides’ attack getting a roll on. Tuivasa-Sheck has looked back to his scintillating best over the past month.
- 200+ – Tuivasa-Sheck has run for over 200 metres for the past five games straight. Including 367 metres and 293 metres in the last two games respectively.
- 5 – Tuivasa-Sheck features in the top 10 across five different attacking categories: most runs – 338 (1st), most run metres – 3,307 (1st), tackle breaks – 92 (2nd), post-contact metres – 853 (5th) and offloads – 30 (8th).
- 8 – Tuivasa-Sheck has scored eight tries in eight appearances against the Eels in his career. Only one of those whilst appearing for the Warriors, however.
- 2,744 – Counterpart Gutherson is not far behind the Warriors No.1 in terms of total metres run this season with 2,744 metres under his belt. However he trails him by nearly 40 metres per game, despite averaging 161.4 metres per game.
- 3 – Gutherson has scored three tries in his last three games against the Warriors.
367 – @NZWarriors captain Roger Tuivasa-Sheck has set a new record for the most metres run in an #NRL game since this metric was first recorded.
Running for an incredible 367 metres. #NRL #NRLBroncosWarriors pic.twitter.com/QKz2n2cojT
— NZ Warriors Stats (@NZWarriorsStats) July 13, 2019
The Warriors welcome back the form winger of the competition in Ken Maumalo. His match-up on the flank with the man he trails by only one try this season, Maika Sivo, will be one to watch out for.
- 13 – Maika Sivo leads all comers with 13 tries this season, closely followed by Ken Maumalo, Corey Oates and Latrell Mitchell – all having scored 12 tries in 2019.
- 11 – Sivo has scored 11 tries in his past 11 games, including six from his last six at Bankwest Stadium.
- 13 – Sivo has made 13 line-breaks this season, equal-second in the comp and behind only NSW and Roosters fullback James Tedesco. Just one line-break behind him are Warriors pair Tuivasa-Sheck and Maumalo with 12 each.
- 17 – Due to Maumalo missing last week’s game, Leeson Ah Mau and Peta Hiku are now the only Warriors players to feature in all 17 games the club has played this season.
- 1,008 – Maumalo leads the NRL for most post-contact metres. He is also third for the most runs (310) and second for the most run metres (3,088).
- 4 – On the other wing for the Eels is former Kiwi Test player Josh Hoffman, who has scored four tries in his past five games against the Warriors.
The Warriors’ halves, Kodi Nikorima and Blake Green, have started taking control a lot more in recent weeks. They are up against the unpredictable Mitchell Moses who has shown some solid form at times this season, paired with young Kiwi half, 19 year-old Dylan Brown.
- 18 – Moses leads the NRL for try-assists this season with 18, six more than Nikorima, Green and reserve half Chanel Harris-Tavita combined.
- 379 – Moses is also right up there with the most prolific kickers in the NRL this season; his 379 metres per game placing him fourth overall, nearly 70 metres more per game than Blake Green.
- 72 – However, he will be one to target on attack as he misses a shade over four tackles per game, 72 in total for the season so far.
It is a real case of heads or tails, Jekyll or Hyde. Everything is to play for. Who will be the team that stands up in the big moments? Ultimately it may be as simple as being in the hands of the coaches and whether it is Stephen Kearney or Brad Arthur who can coax the best out of their side on the day.
Categories: Previews + Reviews, WARRIORS NEWS
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